Shift toward AI-driven research accelerates as investors seek edge and new opportunities.

A decisive shift is underway in how investors gather information, with artificial intelligence now firmly embedded in the investment process, according to new global research.

The “State of AI for Wealth” report from BridgeWise found that 78.3% of respondents worldwide are already using AI tools to support investment-related decisions, marking what researchers describe as a clear tipping point in adoption.

The findings, based on a survey of 2,100 individuals across 19 countries, highlight how AI has moved beyond experimentation into routine use, with nearly half of respondents engaging with the technology frequently and a smaller group relying on it for virtually every investment query.

That growing reliance is reshaping investor behavior. Rather than using AI primarily as a secondary check, many are increasingly turning to it as a front-line tool to uncover opportunities and generate ideas.

“The primary barrier to entry for the next wave of adopters is not skepticism, but a lack of accessible entry points.”

The report suggests confidence in AI is already widespread, with a majority of respondents expressing trust in the accuracy of AI-generated insights. Importantly, nearly 30% of those who do not currently use AI still say they trust the technology, pointing to a significant pool of potential adopters waiting for more accessible tools and clearer integration into wealth platforms.

Competitive opportunity for firms

For financial firms, that gap represents both a challenge and an opportunity. The research indicates that adoption is less constrained by distrust and more by usability and infrastructure shortcomings, particularly the absence of intuitive, finance-specific AI solutions.

“The competitive divide in the wealth space will no longer run between humans and machines. It will run between those who have access to specialized, wealth-native intelligence that surfaces opportunities invisible to generic AI engines, and those still navigating an increasingly complex global market with tools that were not built for it,” says BridgeWise CEO Gaby Diamant. “The data from this study confirms the demand is already there. The mandate now is to meet it with AI that is explainable, accurate, and purpose-built for finance from the ground up.”

The report argues that generic AI tools, often not designed for financial decision-making, are giving way to ‘vertical AI’ systems tailored specifically to the wealth industry. These systems emphasize transparency, regulatory alignment, and data integrity, all of which are critical in an environment where inaccurate information remains a key concern for investors.

Momentum building fast

Despite those concerns, momentum is building quickly. Roughly 65.1% of respondents said they expect to replace at least part of their traditional investment research with AI tools within the next year, signaling a broader migration toward automated, data-driven workflows.

Regional differences remain pronounced. Markets in the Middle East and Latin America are leading in both adoption and confidence, while North America and Europe lag behind, reflecting more cautious attitudes shaped in part by regulatory scrutiny and concerns around bias and data security.

Still, even in more skeptical regions, AI is gaining traction as investors seek efficiency and improved access to information. The report suggests the definition of investment expertise itself may be evolving, with success increasingly tied to how effectively individuals leverage AI-driven insights.

For wealth managers and advisors, the message is clear: AI is no longer a peripheral tool but a core component of the modern investment process—and firms that fail to integrate it risk falling behind a rapidly shifting client base.